Background: Transfusion of packed red blood cells is an important aspect of care in the critically ill children. The decision to administer PRC should be taken only after weighing the benefits and the risks of PRC transfusion against those of anaemia. Aims: To study the outcome of PRC transfusion in pediatric intensive care unit. Settings and Design: Prospective observational study, conducted in PICU of the Dept. of Pediatrics in AVBRH. Material and Method: In a study period of 2 years, out of 1565 patients admitted in the PICU, 164 patients required PRC transfusion were included in the study. Detailed history was taken and baseline clinical informations, investigations and administration of PRC with its indications and outcome were done. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 17.0, p<0.05 is considered as level of significance. Results: The mean age of our patient population was 6.62±4.81 yrs. Maximum 18.9% of patients had hematological and 18.9% had cardiovascular involvement. Mean pre-transfusion Hb was 8.11±2.70 g/dl. The average days of PICU stay for patients transfused with PRC was 5.9 days. Most common indication was Anemia (35.97%), while the mortality rate was 33.54%. Conclusions: Anemia was a common co - morbidity in critically ill pediatric patients. The PRC transfusion was associated with higher mortality in PICU.

Keywords: Anemia; Transfusion; Intensive Care.